MIRI – The
fate of the elderly and the less fortunate continue to live in hardship in Miri
city. With prices of essential items rising by GST and volatile in petrol price
is led to continued pressure of their daily lives.

House
prices in the city are too expensive and difficult to be owned by the less
fortunate. Although the government has the Housing Assistance Programmed (PBR)
to provide financial assistance and management to enable the target groups
living in better housing and secure than ever before, but the goal of this
program has not yet reached the target.

One of
the residents in Tudan Phase 5 Jalan Lutong, Kuala Baram Miri complained of
problems of their homes that dilapidated and ramshackle. Mr Maru Timin 61 years
old and his wife Mrs. Maliah Dris 63 years old in dire need of immediate
assistance repair their dilapidated home. Maru worked as a security guard and his
wife Maliah is not working just take care of their grandchildren who is still
small and cannot attend school. His income is insufficient to cover his
family's daily expenses and sometimes they cut off the food supply because
there is no money to buy food and had to borrow money from friends.

Maru had
applied for help with the authorities last year to rebuild their dilapidated
house, but to date, no answer is received from the parties concerned. According
to his wife Maliah there are parties concerned came to their home for the
purpose of the survey but no help was given as it should. She appealed to the
Social Welfare Department and the Baitulmal can provide monthly assistance to
their families because they also take care of their grandson who was 9 years
old that are still not in school.

PAS was
very sympathetic to the plight suffered by these families and give a little contribution
to reduce the burden that they bear. The authorities, the Social Welfare
Department and the Baitulmal should be able to provide monthly assistance to
these families. Their grandchildren is still not attend school should be given
the opportunity to study in government schools.

PAS
urged the government which has a provision for the poor and the less fortunate
can pay attention to the problems faced by those who need the aid.

Give
appropriate assistance because we have received complaints from these target
groups they are difficult to get proper assistance as they need to complete a
specific form and will be referred with various terms until they find it
difficult to get help.

We hope
that the people's problems that difficult to obtain this assistance should be
given appropriate attention from the authorities and parties concerned.
Cooperation with the authorities and those concerned to resolve the people's
problems is greatly appreciated.